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Compressed Air Engine:
Compressed Air Engine:
The EOS
The EOS
Virginia Palmer Virginia Palmer
Stephen Schwartz Stephen Schwartz
Marcella Wagner Marcella Wagner
J ennifer Zevallos J ennifer Zevallos
Goals Goals
Design Design a sustainable automobile powered by a sustainable automobile powered by
alternate fuel that does not detrimentally impact alternate fuel that does not detrimentally impact
the environment the environment
Propose an Propose an infrastructure infrastructure that is both practical that is both practical
and reliable and would support a fleet of our and reliable and would support a fleet of our
alternate fuel cars alternate fuel cars
Maintain a high level of Maintain a high level of marketability marketability that that
extends beyond an environmentally conscious extends beyond an environmentally conscious
group and into mainstream society group and into mainstream society
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How does it work? How does it work?
In an ICE, the combustion of the fuel In an ICE, the combustion of the fuel
pushes the pistons down to turn the pushes the pistons down to turn the
crankshaft crankshaft
In a compressed air engine, the expansion In a compressed air engine, the expansion
of the compressed air pushes down the of the compressed air pushes down the
pistons to turn the crankshaft pistons to turn the crankshaft
http://www.bagelhole.org/?page=353 http://www.bagelhole.org/?page=353
What type of air engine? What type of air engine?
Three options for air Three options for air
technology: technology:
Air Air
Air and electric Air and electric
Air and gasoline Air and gasoline
J ust using air is the best J ust using air is the best
option because it option because it
drastically cuts the weight drastically cuts the weight
of the vehicle, and thus of the vehicle, and thus
improves the efficiency improves the efficiency
and power and power
http://www.bagelhole.org/?page=353 http://www.bagelhole.org/?page=353
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The Compressed Air Engine The Compressed Air Engine
NO EMISSIONS! NO EMISSIONS!
The air released is actually cleaner than the ambient air becaus The air released is actually cleaner than the ambient air because e
of the filters used of the filters used
4 4- -cylinder cylinder
70 lbs, compared to 200 70 lbs, compared to 200- -600 lbs for other engines 600 lbs for other engines
Uses vegetable oil for oil, and only needs to be changed Uses vegetable oil for oil, and only needs to be changed
every 31,000 miles every 31,000 miles
The cold air produced can be used for the air The cold air produced can be used for the air
conditioning system conditioning system
http://www.bagelhole.org/?page=353
http://www.cyber-media.com/aircar/
http://www.241computers.com/ford/ContentExpress20-30-38.html
The Car The Car
Range of 120 miles Range of 120 miles
Max speed at least 70 mph Max speed at least 70 mph
0 0- -50 mph in 7 seconds 50 mph in 7 seconds
Solar panels on the roof can be used for the Solar panels on the roof can be used for the
heating system heating system
Will look like a normal car Will look like a normal car
Made out of recyclable or renewable materials Made out of recyclable or renewable materials
http://www.bagelhole.org/?page=353 http://www.bagelhole.org/?page=353
http://www.cyber http://www.cyber- -media.com/aircar/ media.com/aircar/
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Refueling Refueling
Fuel at a service station Fuel at a service station
(3 (3- -4 min) 4 min)
Plug the car into an outlet Plug the car into an outlet
(6 (6- -8 hrs; overnight) 8 hrs; overnight)
Use the onboard solar Use the onboard solar
panels for the electricity panels for the electricity
to compress the air to compress the air
http://www.theaircar.com/station.html http://www.theaircar.com/station.html
Real World Examples of the Real World Examples of the
Compressed Compressed- -Air Engine Air Engine
MDI (Moteur D MDI (Moteur Dé éveloppement veloppement
International) International)
French based company French based company – – Guy N Guy Nè ègre gre
Sold licenses to Spain, Portugal, Great Britain, Sold licenses to Spain, Portugal, Great Britain,
France, and South Africa, among others France, and South Africa, among others
Production based out of Production based out of “ “micro micro- -factories factories” ”
Has yet to begin Has yet to begin
Mexico City wants to replace 87,000 taxis Mexico City wants to replace 87,000 taxis
Interests among third world countries Interests among third world countries
Cheap and Clean Cheap and Clean
http://www.theaircar.com/faq.html
(http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-120-
957436-120,00.html)
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EngineAir EngineAir
Australian based company Australian based company
Created an extremely efficient compressed Created an extremely efficient compressed- -air engine air engine
Not yet in cars Not yet in cars
Start off in the mining market Start off in the mining market
Prototypes involving small vehicles Prototypes involving small vehicles
MYT MYT ™ ™ or or “ “Massive, Yet Tiny Massive, Yet Tiny” ”
Created by Raphial Morgado Created by Raphial Morgado
Replaces a 3000 Replaces a 3000- -lb engine with one weighing 150 lb lb engine with one weighing 150 lb
Equivalent of a 32 Equivalent of a 32- -cylinder four cylinder four- -stroke engine stroke engine
Power to weight ratio 40x greater than conventional motor Power to weight ratio 40x greater than conventional motor
Useful in large tractor trailers, planes, big Useful in large tractor trailers, planes, big- -rig trucks, ships, rig trucks, ships,
etc. etc.
Magnesium Magnesium
Benefits: Benefits:
Extremely Light Material (1/4 as dense as steel, 2/3 as dense as Extremely Light Material (1/4 as dense as steel, 2/3 as dense as
aluminum), and still maintains high impact resistance aluminum), and still maintains high impact resistance
Don Don’ ’t have to use excess amounts with its high strength:weight t have to use excess amounts with its high strength:weight
ratio ratio
Abundant material supply (sea water, brines, and magnesium Abundant material supply (sea water, brines, and magnesium- -
bearing minerals) bearing minerals)
Close to 100% recyclable Close to 100% recyclable
Disadvantages: Disadvantages:
Cost is a little high right now, but supply is growing so those Cost is a little high right now, but supply is growing so those
costs will decrease with time costs will decrease with time
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Why Not Other Materials? Why Not Other Materials?
Aluminum? Mg has: Aluminum? Mg has:
Better machining Better machining
Better corrosion Better corrosion
resistance resistance
Increased die life Increased die life
Can be cast in large Can be cast in large
thin thin- -walled near net walled near net
shapes shapes
Plastic? Mg is: Plastic? Mg is:
Stronger/stiffer Stronger/stiffer
Safer: better Safer: better
absorption of energy absorption of energy
Steel? No Steel? No… … Mg: Mg:
No welding/ less No welding/ less
assembly/ lower assembly/ lower
tooling costs tooling costs
Superior dimensional Superior dimensional
stability/repeatability stability/repeatability
http://www.meridian-mag.com/magnesium/
Miscellaneous Ideas Miscellaneous Ideas
Magnesium could also be incorporated Magnesium could also be incorporated
into the windows to create a switchable into the windows to create a switchable
mirror mirror
“ “Smart Windows Smart Windows” ”keep sunlight from keep sunlight from
overheating car in summer time overheating car in summer time
Energy efficient to maintain desired Energy efficient to maintain desired
temperature temperature
Soy/Hemp Seating, etc. Soy/Hemp Seating, etc.
http://www.aist.go.jp/aist_e/research_units/research_section/mrisus/mrisus_main.html
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Power Plants Power Plants
Point sources of pollution Point sources of pollution
Can be more easily controlled than countless tailpipes Can be more easily controlled than countless tailpipes
Zero emissions can be achieved through cleaning Zero emissions can be achieved through cleaning
technologies and renewable energies technologies and renewable energies
Maximize efficiency with superconductor wiring Maximize efficiency with superconductor wiring
Localized energy sources, reduce the need for Localized energy sources, reduce the need for
transport transport
Minimize transportation energy use Minimize transportation energy use
Don Don’ ’t rely on foreign oil t rely on foreign oil
On On- -Site Energy Production Site Energy Production
Solar or Wind Energy Solar or Wind Energy
The Aeolian System The Aeolian System
(developed by MDI) (developed by MDI)
Uses only turbine Uses only turbine
produced energy to produced energy to
compress air at compress air at
refueling stations refueling stations
Solar could have Solar could have
similar uses similar uses
http://theaircar.com/station.html
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Wind Wind- -Turbine Power Turbine Power
http://www.eere.energy.gov/windandhy
dro/windpoweringamerica/images/wind
maps/il_std800.jpg
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/windandhy
dro/wind_potential.html
Energy of Compressed Air Energy of Compressed Air
If you compress air completely you actually get liquid. So we ta If you compress air completely you actually get liquid. So we take ke
the energy value of liquid nitrogen (air consists of 70% nitroge the energy value of liquid nitrogen (air consists of 70% nitrogen by n by
volume) volume)
A way to calculate the energy value of 1 liter of compressed air A way to calculate the energy value of 1 liter of compressed air: :
Energy Density/Specific Energy of liquid nitrogen =320 KJ /L Energy Density/Specific Energy of liquid nitrogen =320 KJ /L
or 320,000 joules/liter or 320,000 joules/liter
Energy value of gasoline: 33,333 KJ /L or 33,000,000 Energy value of gasoline: 33,333 KJ /L or 33,000,000
joules/liter joules/liter
About 100 times more energy available in gasoline than in fully About 100 times more energy available in gasoline than in fully
compressed air compressed air
The transfer to mechanical power of compressed air is better tha The transfer to mechanical power of compressed air is better than n
for gasoline for gasoline
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Energy Losses on the Compressed Energy Losses on the Compressed
Air Fuel Path Air Fuel Path
http://www.efcf.com/reports/E18.pdf
Recovering Heat Loss Recovering Heat Loss
Much of the heat lost during the compression of Much of the heat lost during the compression of
the air can be regained from the operations of the air can be regained from the operations of
the car the car
The air in the compression The air in the compression- -stage is extremely stage is extremely
cold cold
The cold air can be reheated from the ambient The cold air can be reheated from the ambient
atmosphere between each step to extract atmosphere between each step to extract
energy from it before being expanded through energy from it before being expanded through
the next turbine the next turbine
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H2 vs. Air H2 vs. Air
Because of the different densities, hydrogen Because of the different densities, hydrogen
compression requires 15 times more energy compression requires 15 times more energy
than air compression for identical initial volumes than air compression for identical initial volumes
and identical pressure limits and identical pressure limits
For hydrogen, the main losses are associated For hydrogen, the main losses are associated
with electrolysis and fuel cell use with electrolysis and fuel cell use
The heat generated in the process of The heat generated in the process of
compacting air is considered a loss compacting air is considered a loss
Hydrogen fuel technology is much more Hydrogen fuel technology is much more
expensive expensive
Emissions Emissions
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Public Opinion, Consumer Values, Public Opinion, Consumer Values,
and the Preferences of the Market and the Preferences of the Market
Analyzing current consumption Analyzing current consumption
habits and public opinion data can habits and public opinion data can
help us understand the preferences help us understand the preferences
and values of consumers. and values of consumers.
Preferences of the Market: Preferences of the Market:
Niche Market: a focused, Niche Market: a focused,
targetable portion of a market targetable portion of a market
sector that addresses a need sector that addresses a need
for a product or service not for a product or service not
offered by mainstream offered by mainstream
providers. providers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niche_marketing http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niche_marketing
EOS Market Niche: Upper, EOS Market Niche: Upper,
middle class environmental middle class environmental
conscious consumers. conscious consumers.
Public opinion data shows Public opinion data shows
that majority of Americans that majority of Americans
would buy an air compressed would buy an air compressed
car. car.
http://www.emediawire.com/printer.php?prid=18 http://www.emediawire.com/printer.php?prid=18
6242 6242
2004 EV World Online Poll (n=1,057)
71 15 13
0% 20%40%60%80% 100
%
"If it were available in your
community, would you be
interested in owning or leasing
the MDI Air Car, which is
powered by compressed air"? P
e
r
c
e
n
t
a
g
e
Yes No Don't Know
CONSUMER VALUES CONSUMER VALUES
Cost: consumer costs such as cost of car, Cost: consumer costs such as cost of car,
usage (fuel), maintenance usage (fuel), maintenance
Environmentally friendly, sustainable: car Environmentally friendly, sustainable: car
production, car emissions, production, car emissions, recyclability recyclability
Style / Design Style / Design
Power Power
Range / Mileage Range / Mileage
Convenience (accessible infrastructure) Convenience (accessible infrastructure)
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Production Costs Production Costs
Production cost of current marketable compressed Production cost of current marketable compressed- -air car air car
between $10,000 between $10,000- -$15,000 $15,000
Production cost of our compressed air car (with solar panels and Production cost of our compressed air car (with solar panels and
magnesium car frame) magnesium car frame)
between $15,000 between $15,000- -$25,000 $25,000
But remember, air compressed cars will benefit from gains in pro But remember, air compressed cars will benefit from gains in production duction
such as: such as:
Improved technology. Investment in research and development of Improved technology. Investment in research and development of
compressed air cars will produce more efficient, cost compressed air cars will produce more efficient, cost- -saving saving
technologies such as discovery of cheaper materials (to replace technologies such as discovery of cheaper materials (to replace limited limited
quantities of current materials like magnesium), improved storag quantities of current materials like magnesium), improved storage of e of
compressed air, etc. compressed air, etc.
Mass production Mass production Economies of Scale Economies of Scale
As the total number of vehicles produced increases, the fixed co As the total number of vehicles produced increases, the fixed costs will sts will
remain the same while the varied costs will increase. This lead remain the same while the varied costs will increase. This leads to a s to a
decreasing total average cost. decreasing total average cost.
MDI is creating micro MDI is creating micro- -factories to produce tens of thousands of air factories to produce tens of thousands of air
compressed cars. Auto Industry benefits from economies of scale compressed cars. Auto Industry benefits from economies of scale at tens of at tens of
thousands and hundreds of thousands of vehicles produced. thousands and hundreds of thousands of vehicles produced.
Consumer Values: Cost of Car, Consumer Values: Cost of Car,
Usage, and Maintenance Usage, and Maintenance
Car cost for consumer Car cost for consumer
Between $10,000 Between $10,000 - - $25,000 $25,000
Usage Usage
Fuel Fuel Compressed Air at Service Compressed Air at Service
Station Station
Current cost of gasoline: $2.33 Current cost of gasoline: $2.33
per gallon (Chicago 12/06), per gallon (Chicago 12/06),
average mpg is 28 mpg for five average mpg is 28 mpg for five
passenger car, passenger car, 9 cents per mile 9 cents per mile
Cost of fuel: $1.33 per 100 km/62 Cost of fuel: $1.33 per 100 km/62
miles, miles, 2 cents per mile 2 cents per mile
Majority of public willing to pay Majority of public willing to pay
higher prices for vehicle itself, but higher prices for vehicle itself, but
not for fuel. Compressed air car is not for fuel. Compressed air car is
same price as average vehicle, same price as average vehicle,
but cheaper fuel. but cheaper fuel.
Maintenance: Maintenance:
Oil Changes Oil Changes every 31,000 miles every 31,000 miles
rather than every 3,000 miles rather than every 3,000 miles
http:// http://www.ethanol.org/documents/ACEFuelEconomyStudy.pdf www.ethanol.org/documents/ACEFuelEconomyStudy.pdf
In order to hel p reduce energy use and thi s country's
dependence on oi l , woul d you be wi l l i ng to... (Gal l up/USA
Today 2004)
73
24
23
73
4
3
0% 10
%
20
%
30
%
40
%
50
%
60
%
70
%
80
%
90
%
100
%
Buy a vehicle withhigher fuel economy whenyou
need a new car, evenif means paying anextra
200dollars or not beingable to buy today's largest
SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)?
Pay another 50cents intaxes per gallon of gas,
whichwould fundmore researchand
development of alternative energy sources and
encourage people to use less gas?
Per cent age
Yes or Favor No or Oppose Don't know
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CONSUMER VALUES: CONSUMER VALUES:
Cost and Government Incentives Cost and Government Incentives
Government incentives for the purchase of goods can Government incentives for the purchase of goods can
alter and distort consumer behavior towards buying that alter and distort consumer behavior towards buying that
good. good.
Today, most federal and state tax incentives are for the Today, most federal and state tax incentives are for the
purchase of hybrid vehicles. Tax rebates are up to purchase of hybrid vehicles. Tax rebates are up to
$4,000 (2005). $4,000 (2005).
Currently there are no federal or state tax incentives for Currently there are no federal or state tax incentives for
compressed air cars. But this may change! compressed air cars. But this may change!
Why? Hybrid cars are already in market and Why? Hybrid cars are already in market and
infrastructure for them is in existence. Compressed air infrastructure for them is in existence. Compressed air
cars are not yet on market and infrastructure not cars are not yet on market and infrastructure not
constructed. constructed.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Rebates http://ezinearticles.com/?Rebates- -and and- -Government Government- -Incentives Incentives- -for for- -Fuel Fuel- -Efficient Efficient- -Car Car- -Owners&id Owners&id=256783 =256783
CONSUMER VALUES: CONSUMER VALUES:
Convenience, Power, Range, Style Convenience, Power, Range, Style
Convenience Convenience
Since car produces zero emissions, there is no pollution smell. Since car produces zero emissions, there is no pollution smell.
Compressed air engine produces same sound as an electric car Compressed air engine produces same sound as an electric car
virtually silent. virtually silent.
Infrastructure can easily be built. Infrastructure can easily be built.
Power: Power:
Maximum speed of at least 70 mph Maximum speed of at least 70 mph
0 0- -50 mph in 7 seconds 50 mph in 7 seconds
Range / Mileage Range / Mileage
at least 120 miles, 200 km at least 120 miles, 200 km
Style Style
Family sized Sedan (seats five people) Family sized Sedan (seats five people) appeals to consumers appeals to consumers’ ’
desire for spacious transportation desire for spacious transportation
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Judging Success Judging Success
Have we met the criteria set out for us? Have we met the criteria set out for us?
Developing Developing design design, , infrastructure infrastructure, and , and
marketability marketability potential that satisfies sustainability potential that satisfies sustainability
criteria and appeals to consumer preferences criteria and appeals to consumer preferences
and values? and values?
YES! YES!
Expect the EOS to enter market for sale within Expect the EOS to enter market for sale within
the next few years. the next few years.